Learn About Presidential Policy Directive-8

﻿Latest News Updates

July 30, 2014: National Protection Framework Released

The federal government and its partners released the National Protection Framework, which describes the capabilities necessary to secure the homeland against acts of terrorism and manmade or natural disasters. We encourage you to read the Framework to see how you can apply the concepts to your own preparedness activities.

July 30, 2014: Federal Interagency Operational Plans Released

The federal government released three of five Federal Interagency Operational Plans (FIOPs), which describe how the Federal government aligns resources and delivers core capabilities to reach our shared National Preparedness Goal. The three FIOPs released today are for the Mitigation, Response, and Recovery preparedness mission areas and link together the range of activities conducted by all of the Federal departments and agencies involved in national preparedness.

The federal government and its partners released three of five National Planning Frameworks, which outline how the whole community can work together to achieve national preparedness. The three Frameworks released today are for the Prevention, Mitigation and Response preparedness mission areas. We encourage you to read each of the Frameworks to see how you can apply the concepts to your own preparedness activities.

﻿Overview

Experience tells us that when the whole community comes together to tackle a challenge—and everyone plays a role—the end result is more effective.

Recognizing that preparedness is a shared responsibility, Presidential Policy Directive / PPD-8: National Preparedness was signed by the President on March 30, 2011.

At its core, PPD-8 requires the involvement of everyone—not just the government—in a systematic effort to keep the nation safe from harm and resilient when struck by hazards, such as natural disasters, acts of terrorism and pandemics.

This policy directive calls on federal departments and agencies to work with the whole community to develop a national preparedness goal and a series of frameworks and plans related to reaching the goal.

An ongoing national effort to build and sustain preparedness helps us maintain momentum.

In addition, a number of new guidance documents will help the general public, businesses and nonprofit organizations and all levels of government make the most of their preparedness activities.

﻿Implementation

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are coordinating the multi-agency PPD-8 effort with representatives from across the whole community. This ensures the policy directive reflects the needs of the whole community. Collaboration has taken place with individuals and families (including those with access and functional needs), businesses, faith-based and community groups, nonprofit organizations and representatives from all levels of government (federal, state, local, tribal and territorial).

A focus on involving the whole community in PPD-8 activities is what makes this effort unique. Because when it comes to national preparedness, all of us have a role to play.

﻿Major Elements of PPD-8

﻿National Preparedness Goal

This document:

States the goal: “A secure and resilient nation with the capabilities required across the whole community to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to and recover from the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk.”

Defines a series of national preparedness elements (called core capabilities) that we need to achieve the goal.

Emphasizes the need for the whole community to work together in a variety of ways and make the best use of resources.

﻿National Preparedness System

﻿National Preparedness Report

This report summarizes progress toward achieving the National Preparedness Goal and will be used to inform the President’s budget. Overall the report found that the nation has increased its collective preparedness, not only from external threats but also for natural and technological hazards.

﻿National Planning Frameworks

This milestone is a collection of five frameworks focused on each of the mission areas (Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response and Recovery). Note: The National Disaster Recovery Framework was released in September 2011. The frameworks will define how we will work together to best meet the needs of individuals, families, communities and states in their ongoing efforts to prevent, protect, mitigate, respond to and recover from any disaster event.

﻿Federal Interagency Operational Plans

These plans will cover the federal government’s activities to deliver the core capabilities outlined in the five frameworks. These plans are intended to demonstrate how federal efforts can work together to support state and local plans. The federal plans will also describe:

Critical tasks and responsibilities, such as resource, staff and sourcing requirements.

Specific provisions for rapidly integrating resources and personnel.

These plans will serve as the federal government’s concept of operations for each of the five mission areas.

﻿Build and Sustain Preparedness

This ongoing milestone has four key elements:

A comprehensive campaign, including public outreach and community-based and private-sector programs

Federal preparedness efforts

Grants, technical assistance and other federal preparedness support

Research and development

The effort to build and sustain preparedness is ongoing and seeks to build on a range of existing activities.